Ex-Muslim sues Tulsa church for announcing his baptism, leading to his kidnapping

Probably the Rev. Miller and other First Presbyterian Church officials had no idea that they would be endangering this man by announcing his baptism, because they had no idea that Islam has a death penalty for apostasy, because if they had heard about Sharia penalty for apostasy at all, they had been assured that there was actually no such thing, and that only Islamophobes thought otherwise. And so they gave out the news that this man had been baptized, and back in Syria Islamic jihadists almost murdered him.

A Muslim convert to Christianity is suing First Presbyterian Church and its pastor, the Rev. James D. Miller, alleging that church leaders published an announcement of his baptism on the Internet after assuring him they would not do so.

The Tulsa County resident, identified only as John Doe in court papers for his own safety, alleges that because the news of his conversion appeared on the Internet, he was kidnapped on a trip to his native Syria by radical Muslims seeking to enforce Shariah law.

According to the filing in Tulsa District Court, he was bound, beaten and tortured for several days, and was forced to spend 18 hours a day in a 55-gallon electrified drum. He also was stabbed several times, shot, and threatened with beheading.

When Doe was taken out to be beheaded, he managed to free his hands, grab a firearm from a captor, kill one of them, his paternal uncle, and escape, according to the court filing.

Tulsa attorney Keith Ward, who is representing Doe, said the case is one of the strangest he has seen.

“We understand the skepticism toward the claim,” he said, “but his injuries and all the allegations are well documented.”

He said Doe has had four surgeries to repair injuries he received in Syria since returning to Tulsa.

He said Doe, in his 40s, went to Syria to pick up his bride.

Doe had lived most of his adult life in the United States, and was close to getting his U.S. citizenship.

The court filing says that in 2012 Doe discussed converting to Christianity with the leaders at First Presbyterian Church, and discussed the need to keep his conversion private, because under Shariah law, one who converts from Islam is put to death, usually by beheading.

After receiving assurances of privacy from church leaders, he was baptized by Miller at the church on Dec. 30, 2012.

He left immediately for Syria, arriving in Damascus on Jan. 2, 2013.

On Jan. 6, 2013, according to the court filing, the church published a notice of his baptism that included his name.

In mid-January, Doe was confronted by radical Muslims in Damascus who told him they had read about his conversion on the Internet. He denied it, but was unable to convince them, and they took him captive, the court record says.

G. Steven Stidham, another attorney representing Doe, called the church’s action “an outrageous breach of trust that led to a disastrous consequences.”

Stidham said Doe would not be doing media interviews.

Miller issued the following statement Thursday through his attorney, John Tucker:

“You may have heard that the First Presbyterian Church and I, Dr. James Miller, have been named as defendants in a lawsuit.

“The person suing contends he suffered injury at the hands of others in another country because he had been baptized as a Christian at First Church.

“I cannot share more details with you because this is a matter in litigation. The person bringing the claim has asked to remain anonymous, so I cannot share with you even who the person is.

“I would however, like to speak to the church family and the entire Tulsa community.

“The lawsuit is brought by a person who received the Sacrament of Baptism before the congregation during a regular Sunday service at First Church. As the facts and truth of these events are revealed during the judicial process, it will become clear that First Church followed its normal procedures in baptizing this person and the claims made in the suit are not proper.”

Apparently, it’s not that difficult to convert muslims, just by asking them to read verses 10:94 and 5:47 of the Quran.

Quran 10:94
If thou wert in doubt as to what We have revealed unto thee, then ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee: the Truth hath indeed come to thee from thy Lord: so be in no wise of those in doubt.

Quran 5:47
And the followers of the Injeel should have judged by what Allah revealed in it; and whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed, those are they that are the transgressors.

Bizarrely, far from proving that the Bible has been corrupted, the Quran actually states that the Gospels are the word of God. Since the Quran and Bible obviously teach different things, the Quran proves itself false.

I’m afraid you’re way too optimistic about “they’re finally getting there”. Islam is remarkably resistant to re-interpretation of its basic text. And even if that were possible, the Sunnah, Shariah and Hadith still stand in the way. And you’ve got to admit that killing people for expressing heretical thoughts (again, part of the Hadith and Sunnah) is a very effective way to keep the flock in one piece.

Maybe the church thought he was just being Islamophobic. Surely no one would hold it against him and threaten his life for accepting Christ? Not in this day of interfaith dialogue and multiculturalism.

Christians are told not to sue other Christians, rather it is better to suffer loss than to take a brother or sister to court. Becoming a Christian also involves a new life, forsaking our old life, so I’m wondering why he rushing of to Syria to get a bride.
What’s the chances of muslims in Syria reading of his baptism notice on a church site. No, something is not right here

This case might well be different, but in general terms I think you have misunderstood the context of that particular biblical teaching.

There was once a time when everybody in Europe was Christian. It would have been somewhat inconvenient if there had been no recourse to the civil magistrate if someone borrowed your nanny goat and refused to give it back.

It refers to bringing religious matters of the Church before the civil courts. For example, a Catholic cannot justifiably sue the Church if it refuses to give you an annulment. There is no such provision in English or Scots law anyway, I don’t think, I am not sure about elsewhere. I remember a case, I am not sure of the details, but there was an idea that clergy could bring the Church before an employment tribunal in disputes. The Church has her own law in these matters, and I believe this is what Saint Paul implied.

I disagree with what you are saying. Cor 6:1 talks about individual believers, not a believer suing the church.
You say everyone in Europe was Christian. When was this? Just because someone says they are a Christian doesn’t make it true.
Should a Christian allow themself to be wronged against another believer yes, though if it is a criminal act that is another matter altogether.
Our witness for Christ is the outstanding matter in cases of Christians suing other Christians, if something can’t be worked out a case for church disipline would be in order. Mathew 18
This man took it upon himself to travel to an islamic country, therefore he is responsible for what happened to him. Surely he knew his conversion details were made public, or did he leave the country instantly after his baptism.

If Europe was truly Christian, truly orthodox and truly knowing about why it is necessary to be orthodox in doctrine, no Muslim would live there for even one minute.
Jesus said, love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you.
He did not say, surrender.
He did not say, submit.

“Christians are told not to sue other Christians, rather it is better to suffer loss than to take a brother or sister to court. Becoming a Christian also involves a new life, forsaking our old life, so I’m wondering why he rushing of to Syria to get a bride.”

This is exactly what I was thinking! Something is definitely not right about this story.

Christians are told not to settle their differences among themselves instead of suing each other. (As it is a poor example to the outside world of non-Christians.)

After being tortured, this guy had the strength to free himself, kill one of his captors and escape? And one of these captors was a paternal uncle?

And he’s a follower of Christ and getting a bride from… Syria? (I’m assuming another Christian, since Christians are not to marry non-Christians!) What happened to this woman?

And how did these captors learn about his conversion on the internet? And if he knew how dangerous that would be, why was he going to such a dangerous place? Where is the bride?

If the man discussed the need for privacy in this situation I can see him having some legal basis for the lawsuit, especially if he told them he was going to Syria. Perhaps he went there to spread the good news.

a) Why go to Syria? You know you might be killed. It’s a war zone to begin with. Even if you thought your name wouldn’t be published… are you still sure they wouldn’t find out?

b) Why did they look up his baptism announcements? Do Syrians normally read baptism announcements in Tulsa? How many did they look through… millions? Why? Someone had to already given them information that he might have converted (say his uncle, bride, another family member, friend, etc.) as they must have already suspected him. Hence, it not being safe.

c) Why not have your bride meet you in the US? Cheaper, less risk to you, less risk to her, etc.?

d) Grapping a gun and shooting your way out on the way to your beheading? Has there ever been a case outside of Hollywood where that has actually happened? How did he know how to use a weapon and how far would he make it?

Sorry… I would be skeptical. For millions of dollars and a chance to bankrupt a church… why is it not possible this is a scam. If they are willing to fly planes into buildings why is taking some stabs and other injuries not possible?

Generally, families of infants baptized or new believers who have undergone adult baptism at least get their names in church bulletins–especially since in many churches (including Presbyterian churches, at least of the more conservative kind) baptism is a part of public worshsip, to which anyone may wander into off the street. If a church has a website that disseminates news about itself, those running it will probably assume that someone who has just been baptized may feel slighted if the news isn’t put out.

I suspect that as ex-Muslims become more numerous, it would be wise for pastors and church sessions to carefully ask those baptizes whether they would like the news published or not.

On the other hand, I suspect the parties that should really be sued are US-based relatives who may have told on the kidnapping victim to relatives back in Syria.

Hey, this is Tulsa, Oklahoma and the locals have been told over and over again by the editorial staff of the Tulsa World that Musims are just wonderful. The idiots at the Presbyterian Church must have believed them and couldn’t seeing it doing any harm, especially since the guy the last pope converted and baptized went all public about it. Nobody attempted to kill him . . . . yet!

I can understand everyone’s skepticism, but I believe him because even he police department in Tulsa is totally dhimmi in attitude and action. So liberal ‘pretend’ Christians are going to do anything for an extra little bit of publicity.

This story DOES sound questionable. Besides that, if it is true, the church
did breach their agreement with him after being told his life could be in danger
if they published his conversion. So, why is Robert Spencer not being critical of the church?

Is this another example of how blind American and Westerners in general, of the true nature of Islam and the effects of its indoctrination on its followers? We tolerate its penetration into our societies at our peril.

If you read the plaintiff’s document in the Tulsa World you will see that some of his evidence is messages that one of the parishioners sent him promising that the baptism would not be published as it usually is! So where was that tweet when he went back to Syria to pick up his bride? On his phone. Do you think his family in Syria was perusing Tulsa Church websites and stumbled on the news, or do you think they found it on his cell phone?

I know the church and they are not fools about Islam. First Presbyterian even had Brigitte Gabriel speak several years ago.

The church bulletins and news letters regularly publish info about marriages, deaths, baptisms, births, etc. Baptism is a public confession, Dennis, so this would not be for publicity! If the church promised to omit his name and failed to do so, it would be a terrible but honest mistake.

I agree there is something fishy about this. Why would he be baptized on the same day he is leaving for Syria? BUT we need to give the man a break and let the facts come out. If he really was tortured and was being led to his beheading when he freed himself, grabbed a gun, and killed his uncle; if he is really wanted for murder in Syria and has lost his business and home, it is a tragic event, even if the church did make the mistake.

*Each and every* Christian church that intends to or is engaging in evangelism amongst Muslims *must* read, at the very least, Canon Dr Patrick Sookhdeo’s “Freedom to Believe: Challenging Islam’s Apostasy Law” and Samuel Zwemers’ “The Law of Apostasy in Islam”.

Furthermore: they should also read Rev Dr Mark Durie’s “The Third Choice: Islam, dhimmitude and Freedom”, and – very important – his other book, “Liberty to the Captives”, which is intended to guide pastoral care of a/ persons who are being liberated from the spiritual bondage that is dhimmitude or b/ persons who have left the spiritual bondage that is Islam. It is very important that Christians understand that Islam is a mind-control cult that sanctions deception; and that leaving Islam may actually involve something approximating to an outright exorcism (the real kind, not what Hollywood thinks it is).

The concept of the catechumenate – a long period of probation and in-depth instruction – should be revived, for any person who presents as Muslim converting from Islam to Christianity. Not just as a way of weeding out fake converts, but *also* in order to ensure that those who do sincerely intend to join the faith are thoroughly *established* in it, given the nature of the risk that they run.

Canon Andrew White once baptised fourteen ex-Muslims, in Iraq. he did not do so hastily or lightly; indeed, he was reluctant, and only when the new believers insisted over a period of time, and when he was completely convinced of their sincerity, did he accede to their requests. The baptisms took place quietly and in private and were not broadcast afterward. Six months later, eleven of those fourteen people were dead. Those who were still alive were the ones who had been the most cautious about *who* among their family or acquaintance they told of their change of allegiance.

The man owns a business in Syria he also has a 3 years old son there he was going back and forth to his country since 1997. Why don’t we put our selfs in the mans shoo what would you do if this happened to you. Do you have the heart to travel to a muslim country ? Would you leave your son and not ever see him again? Would you trust a church after assuring you they will keep your secret safe ? If you where taking by force and you know it’s time to die would you fight for your life even if you where turtured for days ? The man is not lying and not to mention that this very same church has a pastor who use to be Muslim and a convert to Christianity and he lost all of his rights to his family over seas and he is also from Syria. Let’s not judge

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